Regulation is just one tool, and a blunt one at that, but individual choices matter and can operate with more nuance for better results.
I’ll grant that everything else you said were valid considerations but here I disagree.
We need regulation because relying on individual choice doesn’t work.
We wouldn’t need regulation for emissions if individuals would always chose emission free products.
We wouldn’t need regulation for animal welfare if individuals would always chose cruelty free animal product or become vegan.
We wouldn’t need speed limits if individuals would always drive safely.
But people are assholes and idiots. They make choices that hurt the environment, society and often even themselves.
They prefer EVs over public transport.